PC gaming glossary

The following is a list of common terminology and respective definitions in circulation with relevance to PC gaming. It is designed for use as a tool for beginners, and the experienced who wish to improve their knowledge, or link to a specific definition in an article on this wiki.

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Definition anchors are the same as their respective entry in the Terminology column, however, terms with multiple words must be split in the anchor with an underscore ("_").

An image artifact whereby two different images from two different frames are displayed at the same time, leading to distortion. Screen tearing occurs because the monitor and graphics adaptor act independently of each other, at their own rate. It can be resolved most effectively using vertical sync.

A computer graphics technique that attempts to minimise the distortion artifacts known as aliasing, presented when a high resolution image is displayed at a lower resolution. Anti-aliasing effectively "smooths" these artifacts leaving a visually crisper outline.

A shading method used in 3D graphics to add realism to models by taking into account the attenuation of light due to occlusion. Practically, it improves shadowing and highlights to match the light source which they are absorbing or reflecting.

Similar in premise to mipmaps, but used in 3D modelling, level of detail models are a set of pre-loaded models used to improve performance by loading poorer and poorer quality models as the camera travels further and further away. This allows for faster frame rates in environments that contain a number of 3D models, and a greater draw distance.

A form of texture filtering that enhances the image quality of textures that recede into the distance, preventing otherwise blurred environments from impacting on graphical quality. It also eliminates aliasing, and is generally more effective than bilinear and trilinear forms of filtering at reducing blur and preserving detail.

A set of pre-loaded, lower resolution textures packaged alongside the full resolution texture, allowing poorer quality textures to be rendered when the player is further away from an object, improving performance whilst retaining visual integrity upon close inspection.

Discontinued software that is no longer available for purchase. Abandonware is legally considered copyright infringement, however in practice copyright holders rarely enforce their abandonware copyrights.

A video game or piece of software which the consumer can use, study or modify without restriction. The software can be copied, changed and redistributed either without any restrictions, or with restrictions that only ensure that the receiver of the software can do those same things.

A video game or piece of software licensed under the exclusive legal right of the respective copyright holder. The user is given the right to use the software under certain conditions, while restricted from other uses, such as modification or redistribution.

The second phase of software testing, generally beginning when the software is "feature complete" (there are exceptions to this, e.g. Minecraft), but may still have significant bugs. The Beta phase may be 'closed' (released to a restricted group of individuals for a user test by invitation) or 'open' (released to a larger group, or anyone interested).

A Beta version with potential to be a final product, which is ready to release unless significant issues emerge. By this point in development, all product features have been designed, coded and tested through one or more Beta cycles with no known remaining major bugs.

A computer program that generates a product licensing key necessary to activate a software application. They are often used illegally to generate keys for commercial software, allowing the user to gain access to the full version of a piece of software without paying for it.

Software cracking is the removal or disabling (often illegally) of software DRM features deemed undesirable by a user, such as the need for a product key or CD check, or to convert demo or trial software into the full version. The vast majority of cracks are issued by private individuals, but notable examples do exist where official crack patches are released by developers to improve performance or to minimise user-base discontent.

A freely available preview or demonstration of an upcoming or released video game, often limited to a selected fraction of the full game's content, in order to help consumers get a feel of the game before deciding whether to buy the full version.

The player is limited to a specific number of installs (often 3, 5, or 10), after which they must contact the publisher's customer support to acquire more. Developers often release "de-authorisation tools" to return a used activation after the game is uninstalled from that system.

A software key for a computer program, designed to certify the product as genuine, and restrict piracy. Activation is either undertaken offline, with an unlimited number of installs; or online, often tying the game to a user account and restricting the number of installs.

A software program that allows a computer or game console to emulate a different game console's behaviour. Emulators are most often used to play older video games, but can also play games translated into other languages or to modify existing games.

Official additional content for a game that is generally more expansive than other forms of DLC. Expansion packs may introduce new storylines or map areas. They may be developed by the developer of the original game, however, sometimes they will contract out development of expansion packs to third-party developers.

Generally unofficial, fan-made software designed to improve upon an existing game. Mods can range in size from graphical exploits to entirely new storylines or game worlds, but they are not standalone software and require the user to possess the original game to use them. Sometimes the original developer will release mods, or modding tools.

An expansion pack which does not require you own the basic game in order to play. These expansions often include a large amount of new content distancing them from the original game. Some standalone expansions will penalise users for not owning prior expansion packs or the basic game by restricting access to content.